Dear Beloved Community,
As we emerge from the sacred stillness and soul-searching of Yom Kippur, with sorrow for the terror attack that claimed the lives of fellow Jews while at prayer on this holy day, we want to thank over 1,000 of you for joining us for these meaningful and moving days, in NYC and online.
We want to share with you the intentions and values behind our decision to welcome several elected officials—Brad Lander, Jerry Nadler, and Zohran Mamdani—to join our Yom Kippur Kol Nidre evening services as attendees and fellow seekers.
This decision was carefully considered by our leadership, staff, board, and community advisors over the past few weeks, in direct conversation with the individuals and their teams, and most importantly, in alignment with Lab/Shul’s core values of radical welcome, communal care, and spiritual integrity.
Lab/Shul is a spiritual home for complexity. We hold space for multiple truths and identities, for nuance over binaries, and for courageous conversations rooted in love. We do not conflate criticism of Israeli policies with antisemitism, nor do we deny the deep pain and fear such criticism can provoke. We stand in solidarity with the pain of our families and friends in Israel, with shared yearning for healing, for the return of every hostage, and in the pursuit of peace. We also recognize the humanity and dignity of Palestinians, the urgent need for cessation of violence, and stand in solidarity with all who struggle for liberation, justice, and peace.
Lab/Shul is not an ideological monolith, and this is just one more living expression of our community engaging in the messy middle. We believe that disagreement, when held with respect and compassion, is not a threat to our community—it is a sign of its vitality.
These civic leaders were warmly welcomed by the community, stayed throughout the Kol Nidrei service and were appreciative of the welcome, the depth and inclusivity of the prayers, and our messaging. We know that for some in our community, this choice was painful. We heard from some of you—your concerns, your anger, your fears, and your hopes, and we will continue to hold these with great respect in the future.
Our tradition teaches us that to pray is to wrestle. That to welcome the stranger is sacred. That to build peace requires showing up, especially when it’s hard. We did not change our ritual, our message, or our focus because of any elected official in the room. We upheld the integrity of our Yom Kippur worship—and we were proud to do so in a way that reflects who we are.
This moment is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to:
- Tikkun (repair) over rupture,
- Solidarity over silence,
- Relationship over rejection.
And above all, to keep showing up for each other.
Thank you for your trust, your questions, your strength, and your heart. We look forward to continuing this journey together—imperfectly, honestly, and always, in the spirit of love.
With respect, humility, and hope,
Shana Tova. May peace prevail.
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, Co-Founder, Senior Clergy and Spiritual Leader
Sarah Sokolic, Co-Founder, Executive Director
Lori Roth Gale and franny silverman, Co-Chairs, Board of Directors
